An inquest has today (Tuesday) heard how Eco Island founder David Green hanged himself in his own back garden following an arrest over fraud allegations made against him – which have since been proved to be false.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Green, 52, was found dead in his garden in Woodvale Road, Gurnard back in October 2013, after he was arrested on suspicion of fraud as part of an investigation into an unaccounted £115,000.
At the time of the arrest, it was alleged false information was given to the Isle of Wight Council to obtain payments to Eco Island, however the inquest – held in Newport – heard that this was not the case and that the Council had misinterpreted the information it had obtained.
News of the Community Interest Company’s collapse and David Green’s arrest spread far and wide and caused Mr Green to feel like a criminal, the Coroner heard from his wife, Patricia.
A suicide note was left by David.
The formal Police investigation into the fraud accusations was dropped by Hampshire Constabulary, it has been confirmed.
Coroner Caroline Sumeray has ruled that Mr Green killed himself and has called for an investigation into the Isle of Wight Council’s premature release of information regarding the situation. The Council are not commenting on Mrs Sumeray’s comments today.
